Greg's Guitars Vintage Guitar News and Views.

Receiving your guitar or amp purchase. This installment of the vintage Guitar New and Views from Greg's vintage Guitars Atlanta will try to explain the important steps you should take after making a purchase and spending your hard earned money on a vintage ,rare,collectible guitar or amp. You have finally pulled the trigger and purchased that guitar or amp you have coveted and the item finally appears after being shipped to you.These steps may seem like to much to endure but after all you have made an investment and you need to insure your investment gets the crucial care in the unpacking process that it deserves.Many may or may not know the process of receiving that purchase from the shipping agent and the stpes you should take to insure a pleasant experience afterwords. Step 1: After your vintage ,rare or collectible guitar or amp arrives via the shipping transporter check the box for any apparent outside damage ,if damage is noticed photograph it. this will help in any claims process you may have to go through. Step 2:Feel the box, yes ,feel the box,variations in climate can effect the item in the box more than you may imagine.If the box is cool or warm to your touch then take the box inside your home, and yea place the box away from a direct heat or cooling source(a vent) preferably on your couch or set the box on your bed until the box is the same relative temperature as its surroundings. I know the anticipation is killing you but trust me letting your purchase "acclimate" will pay off. Step 3: after the box has adjusted to a comfortable level open the box, if damage was noted on the outside of the box ,then again photograph the open box and the packing inside. Step 4: Take your guitar or amp out of the box and note any damage to either the case the guitar is enclosed in or the amp itself, if damage is noted again photograph that damage to document it for the claims process. Step 5: If the item is an amp these steps are necessary: remove any packing material from the body or chassis of the amp, place the tubes (they should be out of the amp) into your amp, after replacing the tubes take a soft cloth and wipe the exterior of the tubes off removing any unseen oils or contaminants that may be on the glass exteriors of the tubes. Step 6: Insure all controls are set to zero or in the lowest settings available, plug your amp into the appropriate power supply (wall socket) ,check and observe for any noise,smoke or other unwanted scenarios if this happens unplug your amp immediately and inspect for loose tubes ,improper placement of tubes or damage to the chassis of the amp. Step 7: if everything is good to go ,plug your guitar into your amp and slowly turn up the controls to get the desired volume(s) and enjoy. Step 8: IF any damage was noted and you took photographs then contact the shop you made your purchase and follow their procedures for filing a shipping claim. Hopefully nothing like this takes place but it is good practice to document any damage in case a claim of damage must be filed and it will save you the hassle of explanation. Now if the item purchased was a guitar , either bass, acoustic or electric the following steps should be observed. Follow the above steps 1 through 3 . I can not stress enough the importance of letting your box reach a comfortable surrounding temperature before opening it up regardless of the anticipation level(s) you may be experiencing. Damage my incur if you tear into the box and yank the guitar out of the case if it has traveled from one extreme in climate to another. Step 4: If no damage was incurred during shipping , slowly bring you guitar up to pitch(tune),plug into your favorite amp and enjoy the fruits of your labor and love. As always may all your days be memorable,all your friends stay true and all your riffs be killer, till next time Greg at Greg's Guitars.